Atrium Health Navicent held a ribbon cutting Thursday to celebrate a new mobile mammography coach that’s now expanding access to lifesaving cancer screenings by traveling to area workplaces, schools and more.

“Taking lifesaving screening services into the community increases access, and helps ensure life — work, school, transportation or finding childcare — doesn’t prevent women from receiving a mammogram,” said Atrium Health Georgia Market President Delvecchio Finley. “The Atrium Health Navicent Mobile Mammography Coach will allow us to reach more women, detecting more cancers early when they’re easier to treat and outcomes are more favorable.”

Since its debut in January, the 35-foot mobile mammography coach has already offered screening appointments and walk-up opportunities at Central Georgia Technical College, Jones County and Wilkinson County schools, and several businesses, including large industrial sites. Funded by a congressional spending allocation, the vehicle is also available to provide care at churches, neighborhoods and other convenient locations.

Women who visit the mobile mammography coach receive a screening from a state-of-the-art, 3D digital breast imaging system that’s staffed by female technologists who are specially trained in screening mammography. The experience lasts approximately 15 minutes and is similar to a physician’s appointment. Each screening is provided in a comfortable and private environment.

Typically, mobile mammogram results will be returned within about two business days. If additional screening is needed, patients will be scheduled promptly for a follow-up appointment.

Accounting for about 30 percent of all new female cancers each year, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women. It’s recommended that all women have a baseline screening mammogram at age 40, and in some cases, women between the ages of 35 and 39 may also need a baseline mammogram.

Businesses and organizations interested in scheduling a visit by the Atrium Health Navicent Mobile Mammography Coach are asked to call 478-633-2003.